8 Best Rototillers / Garden Tillers of 2021 [Reviews]

Tough ground requires an extra push to break up and allow new planting. Rototillers help to reduce the labor needed to make that happen by using powerful blades and simple operation. For homeowners or users who need a little extra power to get through compacted soil, there’s no better choice.

This list offers the best rototillers for the job. There’s something for every need, and each offers durable construction for years of reliable use. Let’s take a look at the top picks on the list and find the perfect rototiller for the job.

Quick Glance: Our Top Picks

8 Best Rototillers – The Reviews

Here are eight of the best to get the decision started.

EARTHQUAKE 29769 MC43 Mini Cultivator Combo

The first option features a combination rototiller with a dethatcher and edger tool included. It helps break through the hardened ground while finishing it off with simple accessories. It features large wheels for easy maneuvering and adjustable height for more control.

The overhand control of this design helps prevent bouncing, minimizing damage to delicate plants, and surrounding vegetation. It has a powerful motor and a five-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

• Steel blades
• Bounce control
• Combo tool

Pros

• Includes multiple accessories
• Five-year warranty to protect your tools
• Bounce control protects plants

Cons

• Heavier weight

Earthwise TC70001

Earthwise provides users with simple operation in a lightweight tool. It has steel blades and an ll inch spread. It breaks up ground up to eight inches despite its compact size and is electric. This makes it quieter and more environmentally friendly.

Back wheels are adjustable for a variety of ground types. It’s useful for delicate plants and won’t damage the surrounding vegetation. It has an 8.5 amp engine, plenty for smaller areas, and less intense jobs.

• Electric engine
• 11-inch spread
• 8-inch depth

Pros

• A quiet electric motor is suitable for crowded areas
• Won’t damage surrounding vegetation
• Compact for better storage

Cons

• Gets tangled on truly compacted soil

Sun Joe TJ604E

Another electric option, the Sun Joe, is also a quiet operator with plenty of power. Six steel tines provide excellent performance and are angled for the perfect depth. It folds for convenient storage and is light enough for most people to handle easily.

Three positions for the wheels accommodate a variety of ground. It offers a two-year warranty to protect your investment and is an affordable option for smaller yards and less intense jobs. The motor is slightly more powerful than the Greenwise for an extra kick.

• 13.5 Amp motor
• 16-inch spread
• 8 inches deep

Pros

• Slight power kick
• Quiet operation
• Steel blades

Cons

• Only a one-speed option

Remington RM4625 Homestead

Remington’s tiller is a durable, heavy-duty choice with quick-start technology for more efficient power. Eight-inch steel tines provide excellent performance while the adjustable width gets into very narrow spaces.

The gearbox is also very durable, and at five inches of depth, this option is best for small gardens and minor tilling work. It has a folding handle and powers through tough weeds. It weighs just 23 pounds, which is lightweight for this type of tool.

• Narrow spread
• Gas/Oil mixture required
• Five-year warranty

Pros

• Ultra-narrow spread gets into tight spaces.
• Lightweight option
• Folds for storage

Cons

• Requires fuel mixing

Greenworks 10-Inch 40V Cordless Cultivator

This small tiller with a powerful battery is another environmentally friendly option for those with noise ordinances and environmental restrictions. It’s lightweight but breaks up soil efficiently and adjusts in width.

It also has an adjustable height for better control. Plus, eight-inch forward rotating tines make efficient work of breaking up the ground and powering through weeds. Plus, the folding handle makes storage more simple.

• 8.25 inch to 10-inch spread
• Electric motor
• Folding design

Pros

• Lightweight to maneuver
• No fuel required beyond the reliable battery
• The folding handle is suitable for storage

Cons

• Doesn’t come with the battery

Schiller Grounds Care 7920 Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller Cultivator

This ultra-lightweight choice is suitable for smaller jobs and features Sure-Grip handles for better control and less bounce. It breaks through difficult ground and weeds without damaging surrounding vegetation. The intelligently designed tines are more efficient as well.

It becomes a power weeder with a small direction change, and that versatility is appreciated. The toggle feature is easy to use and offers excellent functionality. All the controls are on the handles to make operation straightforward.

• 9-inch spread
• 10-inch depth
• Combo tines

Pros

• Both a tiller and a master weeder
• Lightweight for a tiller
• Comfort grips with integrated controls

Cons

• Noisy engine

BLACK+DECKER LGC120 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Garden Cultivator/Tiller

For small jobs or infrequent tilling needs, the cordless choice is simple to whip out. Dual tines break up soil and get through weeds while the 20-volt battery-operated motor is quiet and efficient. It will handle just over 300 square feet on a single charge.

Counter-oscillating tines break up the ground, and the handheld design is lightweight. The grip with an adjustable handle helps reduce muscle fatigue while ensuring optimum control during operation. It’s an excellent choice for occasional use and better storage.

• Electric motor
• 325 square feet per charge
• Adjusting handle

Pros

• Ultra-lightweight
• Cordless operation for convenience
• Easy to use and control

Cons

• Won’t handle truly compacted ground

TrimmerPlus GC720 Garden Cultivator Attachment

TrimmerPlus features heat-treated tines for better durability and resistance to bending. The width is adjustable up to nine inches while the overlay helps keep the operator’s shoes and shins cleaner.

The attachment style fits a variety of power tools, including options from Craftsman, Remington, and Troybilt. It will require a separate motor for use, so be sure it’s compatible. The inner tube connector is intuitive to attach.

• Tiller attachment only
• Nearly universal fit
• 9-inch spread

Pros

• Suitable for those who already have the power attachment
• Steel tines are ultra-durable
• Spread is reversible

Cons

• Not a standalone option

Garden Tiller Buying Guide

Getting started with a rototiller isn’t too tricky. Just consider a few things first.

The Benefits of a Rototiller

It’s possible to rent a tiller, but there are lots of benefits to owning one. They don’t require a lot of maintenance, and there are plenty of price point choices for gardeners purchasing one of the first time.

Every spring, it can be a big boost to the lawn or garden to break up soil compacted by winter weather. When weeds build-up, their complex root systems can cause further damage to existing vegetation by choking desired plants and creating unsightly patches.

Aerating the soil helps water and air reach further down instead of running off. This allows plants to utilize their root systems more efficiently and encourages larger root systems for better survival during dry times.

Types of Rototillers

Choosing the right type of rototiller is also essential. There are a few kinds to consider.

• Front tines – front tine rototillers don’t push very deeply into the soil, but they’re easier to maneuver. For ground that’s less compacted, these are appropriate.
• Rear Tines – rear tine rototillers reach far deeper into the soil, breaking up compacted areas and dealing with weeds. They’re harder to maneuver but are more powerful.
• Electric rototillers- Electric is convenient. There is no fuel to keep up with, but they may not be the most powerful choice. For consumers with lots of land, they might be a hassle.
• Gas rototillers – For large plots of land, gas rototillers are an excellent option. They have plenty of power and can run for far longer than their electric counterparts. They can be noisy, however, and keeping fuel on hand could get expensive with lots of use.

Things to Look For

Deciding between these tillers requires a close look at the space needing maintenance.

• Type of space – Small areas do best with small, electric tillers while gas is appropriate for large spaces.
• Type of soil – Heavily compacted soil or soil that’s never been worked will need a rear tiller tine design rather than a front. Many typical suburban gardens are fine with front tines.
• Depth – Deciding how deep depends on the end goal. Encouraging aeration and water passage requires turning just a few inches. Reinvigorating long overworked soil may need something deeper.
• Width – Again, small spaces benefit from a smaller width of tiller. Much larger areas benefit from a larger width for fewer passes.
• Tires – Larger pneumatic tires prevent soil damage and are easy to maintain.
• Transmission – Forward and backward rotation transmissions are more expensive, but they make it easier to free a stuck tiller.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tines do I need?

Typically the more tines, the better, but if space is much smaller, more may not be necessary. Ensure that the tines are secure, and everything should be fine.

What kind of engine should I get?

There are two basic types of motors – two-stroke and four-stroke. Four-stroke engines are quieter and don’t require mixing fuel and oil, but they’re typically more expensive. Two-stroke motors require mixing oil and gas and are louder. Electric motors could alleviate both of these concerns, but they aren’t as powerful.
Can I get an electric start tiller?

Electric start tillers are convenient, but manual start won’t be a bad idea. Look more closely at the power needed to get the job done.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tiller can help aerate a garden and encourage healthy vegetation with fewer weeds. There are quite a few types of tillers, and each one offers benefits specific to the kind of yard or garden the user has. Better soil and better plants – what’s not to love?